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Word to the wise: Reschedule your end-of-July/August flights
USA Today, Updated 7/17/2006 11:12 AM ET

Stormy summer weather, too many scheduled flights and cut-to-the-bone staffing levels have created a toxic stew of last-minute cancellations at the end of the month. If you've got flights planned for the last few days of July, especially between July 27 and July 31, you'd be wise to rework your itineraries to fly during the first few days of August. Do the same for flying you may have already planned for late August; move the itinerary to earlier in the month or push the flights back to early September.

One example of the end-of-month schedule crisis: United Airlines canceled more than 180 flights during the last weekend of June and thousands of travelers were stranded because there were no empty seats to accommodate them on the remaining flights. The root of the problem is, as usual, the arrogance of the Big Six carriers. They schedule too many flights with too few flight crews available to operate them. Then when thunderstorms and other disruptive summer weather cause long flight delays earlier in a month, flight crews burn through their federally mandated maximum duty time. That means those crews are legally unable to work their scheduled end-of-month flights. And since the airlines don't have enough reserve crews on staff, large chunks of the end-of-month schedule must be canceled.


I hope that doesn't impact anyone's trip to San Jose for the CRT party.

Well Wit I am leaving the same day as you.. So maybe were both Scr*wed... I'm on AA out of Miami.


Madhatter
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Wit,

Can you comment on what rights a traveler has under these circumstances? I'm flying Aug. 23, so I'm not as concerned as I might otherwise be... but my travel is difficult enough without flight cancellations and delays. Not to harp on the blind thing again, but imagine yourself in my place. You've arrived at Houston, or ATL, or MIA. You've made it to the boarding lounge for your flight to C.R., only to find out you're stranded by a last-minute cancellation. You're blind, and can barely find a restroom, let alone make your way to the main terminal to seek other transport. What rights does a traveler have under these circumstances? Are the airlines obligated to provide lodging/meals? What about partner/codeshare carriers' flights?

Thanks for any informed comment you care to make.

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Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.

One more reason why I ALWAYS fly Taca. The "Big 6" can phuck themselves in their collective asses. Fortunately from L.A., it's a pretty sure thing that Taca's regular flights will not get cancelled. And their itinerary is perfect - always a redeye from LAX to SJO, and a late afternoon departure from SJO back to LAX.

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Check out http://weluvlatinas.com/ for the web's best info on the latin american monger lifestyle...

Oh man. Talk about bad timing. I'm flying to Cabo from July 27-31. And then, my flight to CR is scheduled for August 31st. Am I gonna be phucked on both trips ???? I assume that AA and Delta are part of the Big Six ??

Damn....this sucks! Let's all pool our money, and buy an official CRT Jet. Then, we won't have to worry about crap like this, and we can all join the "Mile High Club". I'm sure we got a couple pilots in this group....
MG

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

Hey, I fly Taca's redeye, too. Maybe I'll see you on one some day. I just got back from a week down there, had a great time as usual! Taca's redeye is great!

El Ciego,
Yes, they should provide something for you. That might mean a hotel, food voucher, free phone card, free ticket, transportation to/from the hotel, shaving kit, etc.

As you already know, flying with disabilities puts anyone at a big disadvantage. Of course they should provide someone to help you but there are never any guarantees. I'm sure you always make sure the airline makes note on your reservation that you are without sight. Hopefully someone actually reads it.

"Rule 240" is the airline slang for the code that is supposed to cover what the airline will do for you in case of a break in service. The FAA says they must provide certain things if a domestic flight is delayed more than 2 hours. An international flight 4 hours. Basically all they are required to provide is transportation. What they WILL provide might be more depending on how you ask and what mood the agent your are dealing with is in at that moment. The airlines all have their own guidelines and leave quite a lot up to the discretion of the gate personnel.

Yes, you do have rights. You also have a "contract of carriage" with the airline. The key is to know what they are and handle it with courtesy. The people working the gates don't want a bunch of pissed-off customers anymore than any passenger wants to be delayed.

Work with them and they'll work with you. They have a number of things they can do for you but be polite. There are probably many others in just as dire straits as you (or worse) and EVERYONE wants to get where they were going.

One key element to remember is whenever possible DO NOT WAIT IN LINE to get another flight. Call the airline's 800 number. That person has the same access to flights as the ticket counter person who has to work them one at a time.

They will usually only cover problems NOT defined as "FORCE MAJEURE EVENT" (acts of God, weather related, war, etc). Keep in mind a rain storm in one city (like Atlanta) can have disasterous effects on planes getting into or out of another city.

I've seen people bitch and yell at gate personnel in one city because the plane is on a weather hold in another city: "THE SUN IS SHINING!"

Since they are cutting back on planes and personal to fly them there might be a big gap in providing out of schedule service.

Delays are one of the reasons I always fly with some MONEY in my pocket, a bottle of water, some granola bars or such snacks, a list of phone numbers and a magazine, book and/or DVD player/iPOD, etc to keep myself amused. Don't forget your AC adapter.

Know your rights BEFORE you leave home. Pay attention to the section marked "DELAYED AND CANCELED FLIGHTS".
http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/publicat ... rights.htm

Rule 240
http://www.mytravelrights.com/travellaw.cfm?ai=3

Witling, thank you for the very comprehensive answers to my question. I appreciate it.

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Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.